The Role of Class in Ask the Dust, Essay Example

Introduction: Background information

The novel ‘Ask the Dust written by John Fante covers the story of a young Italian-American, Arturo Banding of Boulder in Colorado who is trying a career in writing in LA at a time that he is very poor and hopeless. The character is later involved in a strong scuffle with his muse, so insanely demanding coupled with City of Angels that translates to a maddening mix that entails haughty wealth coupled with heartbreaking poverty. A perception of the themes and the action of the novel demonstrates the outrageously disparaging relationship with a young and unstable waitress of Mexican origin, Camilla Lopez with a beauty comparable to what Arturo needs but the ethnicity of Lopez demands that Arturo must consult the ancestors leading to a pain that is a characteristic feature in his life.

Thesis statement:

The paper posits to look in to the role of class in the struggles, hopes and illusions of the American Dream as depicted in Ask the Dust.

Reasons that support the thesis statement

1. In the novel ‘Ask the Dust written by John Fante, the issue of class a significant role in the course of life based on the American dream. The major characters in the novel are poor and thus they are perceived as being in the lower class as citizens. Although they are poor, they are doing all possible efforts to achieve their living objectives. They can only access the jobs with minimum wage or even lack any job altogether. The problem that confronts Arturo is that as he continues to struggle in earning a living, he want to become a writer coupled with the responsibilities of a confusing love relationship as the common features in his life.
2. Majority of the people who alive in Los Angeles and America in general come being poor and hopeless to look for popularity and wealth. Their background is associated with a low class in the society and they are in anticipation of meeting famous people as well as celebrities who can influence their lives such that, they too become famous. In the course of time however, they discover that it is impossible to achieve the glamorous life that they thought of which consequently breaks their heart and forces them to remain in the original status as before.
3. The role of class in the lives of the characters
4. At the time of Arturo’s arrival in California, he was perceived by many people and associated with a low class citizen. Being of Italian origin, he faced discrimination which broke his life to the extent of living a bum life. His thought about the route to a famous writer is that this is an easy accomplishment without a requirement for much work, as he says, ‘Los Angeles, give me some of you!” weals.ith realization of material fact, he realizes that getting wealth and fame does not come easily so he loses his self-esteem. As he can hardly afford a decent meal, he survives on fruits for most of his. Paying rent is also impossible so he constantly dodges the landlord. Meeting with Camilla gives Arturo another experience since both are poor.
5. At one time Arturo is lucky to make some money from his writing work, but unfortunately, all the money is spend on none essential expenses. The only important accomplishment that he does is settling the rent. Apart from the financial needs that Arturo faces, he has the problem of writing and a first time encounter with a woman. He want to maintain a close relationship with Camilla who might be a source of his inspirations, being of the same class. He finally gets a relive on learning that one of his articles will be published in a certain magazine which will earn him 175 USD. He develops a mentality that he is now rich and takes Camilla on an outing where he squanders all the money on cigarettes and alcohol, an idea that did not please Camilla.
6. The role of class in the struggles, hopes and illusions of the American Dream as depicted in Ask the Dust
7. Camilla becomes the center of Arturo’s life. Arturo experiences a paranoid of earthquakes along with falling locks, and at times he sleeps outside but Camilla plays a crucial role of transforming these thoughts. The paranoids play a role in the writing career of Arturo and he really enjoys himself without regard of what people think of him.
8. Arturo is yet lucky again to earn some more 100 USD after one of his stories is published. This time he is cautious to go to church and send some money to his mother. No money wastage and he lives an ordinary poor man’s life. He also realizes that he has no love for Camilla because the only thing he wanted was a companion to help him in writing and become famous and wealthy.

Conclusion

Arturo has undergone a lot of life-changing episodes since he arrived in Los Angeles with aspirations of living the American Dream, which is commonly advertised false hope. However, Arturo lived his own version of the American dream because he had a luxurious life and with a woman though at a glimpse. He got fame and money through his writing work and if he continued more, he could get more money and fame.